Product Abstract: A small to medium evergreen tree of the magnolia family, reaching up to 8m (26ft). The fruits are harvested before they ripen, then sun dried. Tough-skinned and rust colored, the seed pods measure up to 3 cm long. The Japanese plant this tree in their temples and on tombs, and use the pounded bark as incense. This essential oil may solidify, and if so, must be heated to be brought back to a liquid state. This attests to the purity of the oil.

Cautions: Dilute before use; for external use only. May cause skin irritation in some individuals; a skin test is recommended prior to use. Contact with eyes should be avoided.

NOTE: This oil may form crystals during transit or storage. Gentle warming in a hot water bath and stirring may be required.

Storage: It is recommended that oils packaged in metal containers (for safe shipping), be transferred into dark glass containers to maintain freshness and attain maximum shelf life.

NOTICE: This product contains a component which is listed under California Proposition 65. California residents will receive this product labeled accordingly.

IMPORTANT: All New Directions Aromatics (NDA) products are for external use only unless otherwise indicated. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, and it should not be used by anyone who is pregnant or under the care of a medical practitioner. Please refer to our policies for further details, and our disclaimer below.

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Rating:A great addition to my cp soap scents to help round out florals, citrus, or spices. Not too overpowering. Just the right amount of pow.

By:Ange, Woodland Park, Colorado

Top Reviewer

Date:07-Dec-2015Loyal Customer Since: 08-Jan-2015

Rating:I tried this in soap. It holds up well and makes a nice licorice soap! Not a big seller but for those that like, it's a winner. Very nice scent!

By:Camille, Orchard Park, New York

Date:27-Oct-2015Loyal Customer Since: 19-May-2013

Rating:Strong licorice aroma to this oil. I use a tiny amount of this in a chai blend and will continue it buy this EO from New Directions. Behaved well in my Cold Process soap.

By:Aaron, La Grande, Oregon

Top Reviewer

Date:17-Oct-2015Loyal Customer Since: 19-Feb-2014

Rating:I quickly fell in love with this essential oil. It has that sweet licorice scent on its own but it works well in blends, giving a sweet but earthy vibe that is intriguing. I can't stop smelling this oil.

By:Kelly, North Babylon, New York

Top Reviewer

Date:27-Jun-2015Loyal Customer Since: 21-Jan-2012

Rating:EXTREMELY POWERFUL. I dilute this w/ Apricot Kernel to the tune of 12x and it's still wham-bang to the nose. Just as everyone else says, it smells a great deal like Licorice, or strong Uzo. I typically stay away from anything more than 4 or 5 drops (out of a mixture of 100), and it still resolves as an unmistakable top note. Very sweet, very light, and can offer a perfect contrast to an earthy base note - or it can overpower an entire blend. Only due to its difficulty in finding the right balance, I give it 4 stars.

By:Michael, Los Angeles, California

Top Reviewer

Date:19-Mar-2015Loyal Customer Since: 13-Jan-2015

Rating:This smells exactly like it is supposed to. Black Licorice. Yucky to me, but others like it, so there you have it. Wonderful quality as always, NDA!

By:Tammi, Kent, Ohio

Date:28-Feb-2015Loyal Customer Since: 02-Aug-2013

Rating:Anise is one of my favorite essential oils- and New Direction's Anise is excellent! It has a strong licorice scent and very good staying power in cold process soap. It blends beautifully with citrus oils, like orange. I highly recommend this Anise Star.

By:Frank, Bayside,ny, New York

Date:06-Dec-2014Loyal Customer Since: 30-Jun-2013

Rating:In all honesty, I don't even like the smell of anise or licorice much. I purchased this to make salves for the winter to combat feelings of chill, sore throats and for immune boosting. This is a very powerful, effective oil. This is sweet and VERY licorice-y, true to form. I can see why people enjoy it, even if I don't! 5 stars for star anise!

By:Mikaila, Port Ludlow, Washington

Top Reviewer

Date:04-Oct-2014Loyal Customer Since: 14-Aug-2013

Rating:I've been using this oil for a year and a half in lip balms, and I can't tell you how pleased I am with it. It smells like licorice, and you don't have to use a lot to get a good scent. It's not at all irritating to me and it seems to leave my lips feeling warm - not tingly like they do with peppermint, or burning like they sometimes do with citrus oils. Anise lip balm has been a favorite with my customers, too.

By:Andrea, Katy, Texas

Top Reviewer

Date:17-Feb-2013Loyal Customer Since: 14-Mar-2011

Rating:This is a nice anise scent that's true to the spice. I can imagine using this in a diffuser in the kitchen.

By:Breanne, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Top Reviewer

Date:27-Jan-2013Loyal Customer Since: 15-Jan-2013

Rating:Believe it or not, this is a best seller for me. Very affordable, I just love the smell and apparently so do a lot of other people. It soaps perfectly without any problem, the scent is strong and remains strong in HP and CP soap. I also use this mixed with sweet orange in my lip balms, the flavor is amazing even without sweetener.

By:Lisa, Pellston, Michigan

Top Reviewer

Date:17-Jan-2013Loyal Customer Since: 03-May-2008

Rating:A great anise. I must admit I was expecting star anise, not anise.
It is the fennel like anise albeit a very nice one

By:Harry, Oreland, Pennsylvania

Top Reviewer

Date:30-Nov-2012Loyal Customer Since: 20-Sep-2012

Rating:My 16.6 oz size cam in an aluminum bottle with a white plastic lid. Though well packed, it was indented on one side, but wasn't leaking. Smell is true, sweet, and strong. Plan to use in cold-process soap. I expect it to hold up well.

By:Stephanie, Little Rock, Arkansas

Top Reviewer

Date:04-Aug-2012Loyal Customer Since: 23-Jul-2012

Rating:This is absolutely wonderful. A top seller for me in CP soap.

By:Ann, Westville, Nova Scotia

Top Reviewer

Date:13-May-2012Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:Reminds me of why I love Sambuca! Strong but not overpowering and well priced. Will be great with an citrusy oil like Orange or Manadarin.

By:Brenda, Brantford, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:15-Apr-2012Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:This EO smells incredible, and I love to use it in perfume, especially with vanilla and black pepper. the only problem is that a lot of men don't seem to like the licorice smell, and that can be a problem if you want to attract a man. Otherwise, I'd be using this one all the time!

By:Lauretta, San Diego, California

Top Reviewer

Date:11-Nov-2011Loyal Customer Since: 19-Jun-2010

Rating:WOW!!!! I love this scent. My living room smells just like licorice. YUM!! YUM!! I will always have this on hand.

By:Margie, Brockville, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:30-Sep-2011Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:Very Lovely. I used it in my cp soap and the soap sold before i even had a chance to display it. Very strong licorice sweet smell. One of my favs. Thank You!

By:Phyllis, Halifax County, Nova Scotia

Top Reviewer

Date:04-Oct-2011Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:I really love the strength of this! Lasts a long time in everything!

By:Stephanie, Toronto, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:20-Jun-2011Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:You can use very little of this oil for a good long lasting scent. I use it in an orange-anise household cleanser that realy deodorizes (even stinky old RVs!) I also use it in my black playdough, I love the reaction it causes, people either love it or hate it! Everyone agrees it smells like black jelly beans.

By:Krissandra, Moses Lake, Washington

Date:22-May-2011Loyal Customer Since: 13-Apr-2008

Rating:This stuff is AWESOME!! Smells like REAL natural black licorice and was an instant hit in my HP soaps. Potent scent lasts all the way through the soap. Better quality and smell then other brands I've tried!

By:Garrett, Cedar City, Utah

Top Reviewer

Date:07-Jan-2011Loyal Customer Since: 14-Apr-2010

Rating:This oil is wonderful.....I use it mostly to make soap...reminds me so much of ouzo.....super.

By:Rick, Westville, Nova Scotia

Top Reviewer

Date:29-Dec-2010Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:Very potent scent. Used in a body cream with lavendar, rosewood and a touch of ylang. Beautiful warm relaxing scent. A little goes a long long way with this oil.

By:Evelyn, North Olmsted, Ohio

Top Reviewer

Date:30-Dec-2010Loyal Customer Since: 18-Aug-2008

Rating:This is a great scent alone or mixed with another. It holds strong in CP soap, I've also used it in lotions, sugar scrubs, and lip balms! Perfect around the holidays!

By:Heather, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Top Reviewer

Date:04-Nov-2010Loyal Customer Since: 26-Aug-2009

Rating:Love this oil. Find it makes me feel good & clears my head everytime I smell it. Made both soap & lip balm. Great unisex scent.

By:Terry, Toronto, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:19-Aug-2010Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:smells sweet and yummy. Im satisfied.

By:Chassidy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Top Reviewer

Date:06-Mar-2010Loyal Customer Since: 15-Apr-2009

Rating:great licorice scent! sticks forever in cold processed soap.

By:Kat, Tottenham, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:10-Jan-2010Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:I had a very fical customer who wanted Licorice, I special ordered this product which was a first for me and I was impressed. she only wanted one ounce bottle so i made some pure essential anise star candles and in two days I sold every one. I titled them Black Gold, I live in the coal region of Pennsylvania and it was perfectly named.!! Thanks alot

By:Elizabeth, Coaldale, Pennsylvania

Date:21-Nov-2009Loyal Customer Since: 07-Nov-2009

Rating:I order from a variety of essential oil suppliers, and this is my favorite anise. It is not overly sweet and smells true and persistent right through the dry-down.

By:Catherine, Los Angeles, California

Date:28-Jul-2009Loyal Customer Since: 09-May-2009

Rating:I just received my first order from NDA. Included in a very nicely packaged box were the 6 essential oils that I purchased. One of them was Anise Star. This scent is absolutely wonderful. The black liquorice scent immediately filled my nostrils. It is a truly wonderful, high quality oil that is just amazing!

By:Wendy, Regina, Saskatchewan

Top Reviewer

Date:04-Jun-2009Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:Heavenly scent! Just like old-fashioned black licorice.

By:Sonya, Hubley, Nova Scotia

Top Reviewer

Date:13-Jan-2009Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:NDA's Star Anise EO is a deep, luscious and intoxicating scent of black licorice YUM! I have not used this EO in my bath and beauty products yet, so I am basing this review from what I smell out of the bottle. The quality of this Star Anise is superb and since the strength of this scent is powerful, you will only need a drop or 2 so as to not overpower other scents you may use in your blend. I plan to use this dark licorice smelling EO with a couple of citrus EOs (Tangerine and Bergamot) to balance the heaviness of Star Anise.

By:Christine, Burnaby, British Columbia

Top Reviewer

Date:15-Jan-2009Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:I use this in my p.m.s cream and it is very successful, probably due in part to it's diuretic qualities. Love the scent blended with chamomile and orange.

By:Vanice, Cambridge, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:08-Aug-2008Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:I picked this up on the recommendation from another reviewer to blend for a Chai-scented soap...she was right! I will have to experiment to see what else I can use it with, based on what others below have suggested.

By:Karina, Richmond Hill, New York

Top Reviewer

Date:07-Aug-2008Loyal Customer Since: 14-Sep-2007

Rating:Wow, this oil is very potent. A must have for making cold process Fishermens soap. I'm making a batch for my husband this weekend!

By:Tonya, Huntsville, Arkansas

Date:28-Jun-2008Loyal Customer Since: 30-May-2008

Rating:I was never a fan of straight black licorice, but blending the anise star with vanilla and cinnamon makes such a delicious chai smell!! Yummmy!!

By:Melissa, Hanover, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:01-Apr-2008Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:Outstanding quality! Strong black licorice like scent. I use it in CP soap with a touch of nutmeg. Great aphrodisiac scent!

By:Karen, Spring Hill, Florida

Top Reviewer

Date:20-Feb-2008Loyal Customer Since: 04-Dec-2007

Rating:If you like licorice, this is the one for you! I love the heady aroma of this oil mixed with citrus-yummy!

By:Heather, Ottawa, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:03-Jan-2008Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:A very strong licorice like scent. Fantastic alone or blended. I like it with lavender, five folded orange and a touch of cinnamon for a fall blend. Thanks NDA!

By:Connie, Newport, Tennessee

Date:15-Sep-2007Loyal Customer Since: 22-Apr-2006

Rating:This is a gorgeous EO! I use it alone to make a licorice soap, and also occasionally blend it with jasmine FO to create a unisex floral. Wonderful quality, packaged well, I'm very happy.

By:Carolyn, Montreal, Quebec

Top Reviewer

Date:25-May-2007Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:Another QUALITY oil from NDA!! Great prices thanks so much!

By:Joely, Topeka, Kansas

Top Reviewer

Date:11-May-2007Loyal Customer Since: 15-Nov-2006

Rating:A fantasic anise EO. I use it exclusively is CP soap. It smells fabulously like rich, black liquorice.
Solidifies at cooler temps.

By:Kelli, Point Du Chene, New Brunswick

Top Reviewer

Date:26-Jul-2006Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:Fantastic EO my back porch where my black licorice soap is curing the whole room reminds me of a just opened bag of black licorice.

By:Cathy, Kingsville, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:28-Jul-2006Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:This anise star is perfect. Black licourice is a hot scent in perfumery, and it has been for a very long time. You can even use this as a top note with tarragon for a long lasting black licourice scent. I highly recommend this oil. Top quality, quite volatile though.

By:Sherif, Scarborough, Ontario

Top Reviewer

Date:19-Sep-2006Loyal Customer Since: 09-Nov-2005

Rating:I love the 1/6 ounce sizes so you can confirm the quality before buying a larger volume. What a great price. This is a lovely licorice type sweet scent. Lovely.

By:Jessica, Plano, Texas

Top Reviewer

Date:29-Jul-2006Loyal Customer Since: 14-Jun-2006

Rating:Very good value, as quality is excellent and price too. Anise Star is similar to Aniseed essential oil (Pimpinella anisum) in properties but it is considered to be much safer for use in Aromatherapy. Narcotic in large doses. Use in moderation. Aromatherapists use it for aphrodisiac, asthma, bronchitis, colds, colic, coughs, cramp, flatulence, increasing breast milk, calming, circulation, emotional balance, heartache, indigestion, relaxation, muscle spasm, muscular aches and pains, rheumatism, stress from overwork. (Also known as Chinese Anise, Chinese Star Anise, Illicium.)

By:Candice, Sarasota, Florida

Top Reviewer

Date:08-Jul-2006Loyal Customer Since: 29-Jan-2006

With an unwavering commitment to offering the highest quality of products, we firmly believe that Quality Assurance is of utmost importance. It is imperative that meticulous tests, documentation, and certifications are supplied for every product in our portfolio. Our facility is equipped with a laboratory using state-of-the-art gas chromatography to rigorously test the veracity of the purity and potency of our sourced oils. This ensures that you our valued customer are supplied with superior products at all times.

PLEASE NOTE: The packaging shown above is a general representation of the various sizes and types of packaging available for this product. Not all sizes and types of packaging for this product may be available at all times.

Customers may purchase products from New Directions Aromatics Inc. only with the clear understanding that all products must be used at their own discretion, and only after referring to the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and all other relevant technical information specific to the product. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be held responsible for any damages to property or for any adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).

New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be responsible for any damages resulting from use of or reliance upon this information. The user of the product is solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the products, including the intellectual property rights of third parties.

The certifications, statements and product descriptions shown on this website are strictly for information purposes only. The information in this document is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by New Directions Aromatics Inc. as to the fitness for any use.

Further, New Directions Aromatics is not responsible for the comments made in the customer reviews, nor when products are used in ways not suitable to their purpose (for example, fragrance oils in toothpaste; bath salts in metal containers; additives used in larger amounts than recommended).

As with any manufacturing process, New Directions Aromatics strongly recommends small lab scale testing for evaluation purposes prior to full commercial manufacturing. As the ordinary or otherwise use(s) of this product is outside the control of New Directions Aromatics Inc., no representation or warranty, expressed or implied is made as to the effect(s) of such use(s) (including damage or injury), or the results obtained.

The liability of New Directions Aromatics Inc. is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential loss. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays regarding an order, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
Please note, the International Federation of Aromatherapists do not recommend that Essential Oils be taken internally unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical Aromatherapy. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).